Ipad or Macbook? I need some advice.

[blastingas10]

This question gets asked over and over again. I think we'd all like the answer to be "Yes, an iPad will do everything you need it to do to replace your laptop" and the answer, at least for most of us, at the present time, is "No, there are compromises and extra steps involved in trying to use it for many tasks that are easier to accomplish/better achieved on a laptop." I love my iPad (and have owned each generation) but I consider it more of a luxury consumption device. When I need to get some major work done, I still depend on my MBP. Some of that will change when Office is released for iPad but it still lacks the all-in-one usefulness of a laptop despite its superior toteability(sp?). I wouldn't suggest trying to get by with an iPad in college if you don't have easy, convenient access to a computer.

I'm sure you're right. I knew the MacBook is definitely better than the iPad. But when you consider what I'm going to be using it for do you not think the iPad would be good enough for me? All im going to be doing is normal Internet browsing, recorded music via GarageBand app, watching YouTube videos and listening to music. I'm never going to be doing any serious work on it. I don't see any reason to spend twice as much on the MacBook. If I had the money I would definitely go ahead and get the better of the two, but I don't have that much to spend. I think the iPad will satisfy my needs and it will save me a lot of money.

 

[migdaddy]

The only thing stopping ME from buying an Ipad is flash.

 

[BFizzzle]

I've never really used the MacBook version of GarageBand so I don't know much about it. But i agree with you about the GarageBand app. I love how easy it is to use and how straightforward it is. I'm so impressed with it considering that it is only 5 dollars. I like it more than some more expensive programs I have on pc.

Maybe the MacBook version is better for a more professional user. But I just record for fun. You can really do a lot with the app. There are quite a bit of loops you can add, and the smart instruments are great. I'm more than satisfied with it.

I'm starting to see no reason to get a MacBook, I think the iPad will do me just fine. And I already have a main desktop computer, so I'll be able to sync the iPad and then it should be just fine acting as my main computer.

the osx version of garageband is a lot better in a sense of instruments/effects/ #of tracks supported.

if you arent experienced with producing instrumentals then youre fine. (if you are experienced in that, then you dont want to be using garageband anyways )

if you are just wanting to record yourself playing guitar/ singing. The ipad will do it if you have the camera connection kit/ usb condenser mic. The blue snowball works great. Best quality for the price IMO.

 

[blastingas10]

the osx version of garageband is a lot better in a sense of instruments/effects/ #of tracks supported.

if you arent experienced with producing instrumentals then youre fine. (if you are experienced in that, then you dont want to be using garageband anyways )

if you are just wanting to record yourself playing guitar/ singing. The ipad will do it if you have the camera connection kit/ usb condenser mic. The blue snowball works great. Best quality for the price IMO.

All I record is guitar, as then i add to it with the smart instruments and loops. It's what I've been doin on my phone. I plan on buying the apogee jam.

 

[jackyyeow]

Would like to add what I've posted in the first page.

What you don't get out of laptops, is the same battery life as the iPad, without carrying extra brick around or using extended battery which add lots of weight. Even if you're comparing the same task on both, laptops will be MUCH inferior.
The only time when laptop battery can last long is when you do light tasks like light forum surfing without flash or offline productivity - which the iPad can do most of it just fine!

I have Macbook Air 13" 2011 while it's amazing for what it can do for such a small package, still you don't get anywhere near the battery life of the iPad. One thing I hated about the Macbook Air (or OSX for that matter) is that it doesn't seems to be efficient in any audio applications. Launch Garageband (or other DAW) and do nothing, you won't get pass 5 hours of battery life even with all connectivity switched off.

Fact is all audio applications, except media players, are going to suck some CPU power for unknown reason. I fired up Reaper which you can easily download the evaluation copy, default project is launched but you'll see 1.5% of CPU is consumed all the time and that's before you even add a track. And that's probably the most efficient DAW i've even seen.

I also have the Band in a Box and I didn't even use any of the special features, just playing back some chords with the crappy midi sound. Heck, even just open it up and load up default project, it's sucking 5% CPU when idling! When I switch to iPad and use the irealb, it's just such a huge relieve and freedom!

(the above CPU usage in % is merely one core, means to max out all 4 virtual cores or the actual dual core you need to use 400% of CPU usage)

To be fair, you simply can't match the full featured DAW with the iOS garageband. For idea sketching, it's great and you can do it anywhere - and you'll know that you still have tons of battery juice left for other tasks. With, say, 11" MBA, you did 30mins of idea sketching, and you'll probably have max 3+ hours of *light* surfing - or 2 with heavier stuffs like youtube.

If OP gonna leave the laptop plugged in most of the time, I'd rather suggest iPad+desktop combination.